The Issue of Population Growth

Thesis Statement

"A merica and other rich nations have a clear
choice today. They can continue to ignore the population problem and their own massive
contributions to it. Then they will be trapped in a downward spiral that may well lead to
the end of civilization in a few de cades. More frequent droughts, more damaged crops and
famines, more dying forests, more smog, more international conflicts, more epidemics, more
gridlock, more drugs, more crime, more sewage swimming, and other extreme unpleasantness
will mark our course. It is a route already traveled by too many of our less fortunate
fellow human beings." Paul and Ann Ehrlich

Introduction

The above statement from The Population Expl osion Paul and Ann Ehrlich provides
the basis for our discussion about population. Based on your research in your country, is
population growth threatening economic, social, and/or political well-being. But first
some backgound on the issue of populat ion growth.

Modern research on the genetic structure of human populations suggests that we are all
descended from a relatively small number of individuals, and no more than a few families,
who lived in Central Africa as recently as 100,000 to 200, 000 years ago. By 15,000 years
ago their progeny numbered some 15 million (the present population of Mexico City). The
population of the world at the time of Christ increased to about 250,000,000 (a little
less than the present population of the U.S.), an d tripled to about 700,000,000 (a little
less than the population of India) on the eve of the Industrial Revolution. In the next
two centuries the population increased at an annual growth rate of 6 per 1000, reaching
some two and a half billion by 1950, a nd more than doubling in the last four decades at a
growth rate of 18 per 1000 as it approaches six billion. In spite of signs that the growth
rate is slowing down, the world's population will reach, barring some demographic
catastrophe, eight to ten bill ion sometimes within the next three decades, if not before.

Here are some interesting facts and projections about world population growth:

The rate of pop ulation increase, now approximately 1.7 percent a year will decline to a
little less than 1 percent sometimes between the years 2020-2025.

But since this applies to a larger population, the rate of actual increas e will go from
88 million people a year to 97 million in 1995-2000, before falling to 81 million a year
in 2025.

Developing countries will account for 95 percent of the world's population increase in
the period betwee n 1990 to 2025.

Between 1950 and 2025 the developed countries share of world population will decrease
from 33.1 percent to 15.9 percent; Europe will go from 15.6 percent to 6.1 percent.

In that same period of time, Latin America will have increased from 6.6 to 8.9% of the
world's population, Asia from 54.7 to 57.8, and Africa from 8.9 to 18.8.

The rapid rise in the rate of population growth has prompted concern that the world is
poised on the brink of disaster, that not only are we running out of enough food to
sustain the growing population, but that the growth in population is also responsible for
poverty, environmental destruction and social unrest. Moreover, so the a rgument goes, as
long as populations continue to rise, economic development in poor countries is
impossible, because any increase in economic output must go to sustain the increased
population instead of being invested to create new jobs and wealth. These concerns have
led to concerted efforts by international agencies and governments to control population
growth, especially in Third World countries where it is highest.

Except for the religious objections to promoting decreased fertility, there ar e few
people who question that there is a population problem, that it is a problem primarily of
the poor nations, and that the solution requires women to limit their fertility. Yet few ,
if any, of the assumptions underlying the issue of population growth and control have been
seriously questioned or examined. Some of these are:

The assumption that population growth contributes to economic decline and stagnation in
the periphery.

The assumption that the population increase in the periphery is due to decreased
mortality rates, especially of infants, realized because of the availability of modern
medical advancements, better nutrition, and improved sanitation.

The a ssumption that population stability before the rapid rise of population began in
the eighteenth century was the result of a high fertility rate that served to balance a
consistently high death rate.

Finally, the as sumption that the only way of slowing the birth rate is through the
application of birth control techniques and programs developed in Western countries and
applied universally in poor countries.

We'll examine each of these assumptions, and try to show how, from an anthropological
perspective, they may be seriously flawed,ethnocentric, and self-serving for Core nations,
and then examine what anthropology can contribute to the debate over population growth.

The discussion on population should focus on the extent to which you agree or disagree
with Paul and Ann Erlich's estimation of the threat of population growth, and the relative
degree of responsibility of rich and poor nations. Those who represent the poorer
countries of the world need to consider the rate of population growth in that country and
whether or not it is affecting economic growth, development, and/or well-being. Those who
represent some of the richer countries need to consider the relative contribution of their
countries to the problem. Overall, of course, we need to consider whether or not there
really is a population problem as so many claim.

PAPER GUIDELINES:

Whether you represent a developed, developing, or underdeveloped country, try to
consider how population growth in your country was influenced by the global expansion of
capitalism. It will require, at a minimum, an understanding of the connection between
various economic factors (e.g. agricultural vs factory labor, dependence on land vs wage
labor, forms of labor organization, etc.) and various factors that influence population
growth and decline (e.g. fertility rates, marriage patterns, family ec onomic
organization, etc.). These factors are outlined and discussed in your readings. Based on
this discussion, then examine the extent to which you agree or disagree with the Erlich's
statement.

SUGGESTED READINGS:

The following are not mandatory readings, but are readings (books) which discuss the
topic that you will be researching. Contact your library to determine if they are
available to you. These are by all means not all inclusive and there are many other
sources available.